Lollar May Turn Attention to Hoyer

Given the slow start of Maryland's race for governor, this development may qualify as drama: Charles Lollar, perhaps the Republican's most charismatic alternative to Bob Ehrlich, might not actually get into the race.

The Gazette reported that Lollar is in a dispute with Charles County officials as to when he registered to vote. Under the Maryland Constitution, a candidate for governor or lieutenant governor must have been a registered voter of the state for five years before the general election in which they run.

Lollar, who moved to Maryland from suburban Atlanta in October, 2005, claims that county officials took several months to file his registration, which explains why he doesn't appear to meet the requirement.

Reached this morning, Lollar downplayed the controversy, saying he had received legal advice suggesting things could be worked out. Lollar said he would soon have an announcement about whether he is moving forward with a bid for governor -- or a run for Congress in the district of House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.).

"This was never a matter of committing to one post or another," said Lollar.

A Web site has been up or months seeking to draft Lollar for governor, and he has been traveling the state, gauging support.